Saturday, March 19, 2011

When tragedies struck, it is not uncommon to hear of dubious people or organizations diverting aid money or valuables from the victims. That there are people who thrive or make their living from other peoples' miseries is beyond comprehension.The recent calamity that hit Japan is no exception. Apparently these human vultures are at work right now.

Newspapers and the internet are awash with warning on websites or organizations masquerading as legitimate charitable institutions. These vultures lure unsuspecting good samaritans to give their financial or material aids to Japan's earthquake and tsunamis' victimsthrough their organization or financial accounts.Of course your aid would never reach the intended beneficiaries.

These parasites are very clever. I recalled one incident when a fairly large earthquake hit the southern Philippines. A well dressed elderly man went around our subdivision claiming he was soliciting contributions in behalf of the victims. That he was an employee of a certain company and that he took a one week leave from his work so he could help. He had with him some certifications and papers recording contributions. Well I took the bait. I knew I was taken for a ride when about three weeks later I saw the same gentlemen in another part of the city still soliciting.

Apparently during tragedies,it is not enough to give. We must ensure that we are sending our donations only through legitimate charitable institution. Otherwise our aid will be wasted and only fatten the pockets of unscrupulous individuals. Worse successes would encourage these people to multiply and enbolden them to commit similar despicable acts in the future.